Cougar sightings have jumped considerably lately in the meadowood area north of Qualicum Beach. Several local reports have been made of big cats lounging in area yards. (B.C. Government)

By Ian Holmes

big cats

‘We’re on high alert:’ prowling cougars have rural Qualicum Beach residents concerned

Aug 18, 2020 | 1:04 PM

QUALICUM BEACH — Conservation officers plan to destroy two cougars believed to be responsible for killing a pony and constantly hovering around a sprawling wooded community north of Qualicum Beach.

Troy Sterling of the BC Conservation Officer Service said what appears to be a female and her older kitten killed a pony out of its shelter early last Saturday morning in the rural Meadowood subdivision.

“In this case it’s probably more about convenience because both cats appear to be healthy. They’re opportunistic,” Sterling said, who noted hounds could not initially pick up the scent of the big cats.

In response to reports cougars are hanging out in local yards, Sterling said perhaps potential attractants are luring cougars there.

He figures the cougars feel safe in yards where dogs scaring them away.

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“Some capture methods have been put out and we’ll continue with that and monitoring reports and sightings so that if they’re seen at a particular time of day we can run the hounds again.”

Sterling recommends property owners keep pets and livestock secured overnight. He said electric fencing is an effective way to keep animals safe.

In an unrelated incident, Sterling said an emaciated cougar was destroyed after it killed a dog near Horne Lake this past weekend. He said the “very sick” cougar appeared to be abandoned by its mother.

The Meadowood area home to roughly 2,000 people on larger lots is no stranger to cougar sightings, however the recent behaviour of typically shy animals is concerning to local residents.

Corcan-Meadowood residents assn. president Chris Burger said many people are “on high alert” with constant cougar sightings in several yards over the past few weeks. He said a cougar sat in his backyard for prolonged periods for four days last week with his dog and cat secured inside.

“They’re not moving away and having them sit on you for day after day after day over a couple weeks, it’s certainly unusual,” Burger said.

Burger, who owns and operates the Meadowood Store, said his business serves as the local reporting station for what’s happening in the neighbourhood.

“We get all of the sightings, we get all of the reports coming in. There’s certainly a heightened level of awareness and concern and that is reflected in the comments we’re hearing from our customers.”

Three local cats are currently missing in Meadowood, according to Burger.

“It’s probably not a coincidence,” he said.

It’s believed several hundred cougars live on Vancouver Island.

Conflicts with cougars or sightings in urban areas can be reported to the Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277.

Advice on cougar encounters from the provincial environment ministry are available here, while reports of wildlife conflicts made to the province are listed on a constantly updated interactive map.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes